Symptom Combination

Dizziness and Vomiting: Causes, Conditions & When to See a Doctor

Dizziness with vomiting occurs in vestibular disorders (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Menière's disease, vestibular neuritis), posterior fossa stroke, and migraine with vertigo. While usually non-threatening, sudden onset of severe dizziness + vomiting in older patients must exclude posterior stroke — the 'great masquerader' of vestibular disease.

→ Dizziness Overview → Vomiting Overview

Possible Causes of Dizziness and Vomiting

Conditions that commonly cause both symptoms together

1Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with nausea/vomiting
2Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
3Menière's disease with episodic vertigo + vomiting
4Posterior circulation stroke (cerebellar or brainstem)
5Vestibular migraine

Emergency Red Flags

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these

Sudden severe dizziness + vomiting in patient > 50 (posterior stroke)

Cannot walk steadily — falls toward one side consistently

Diplopia, dysarthria, or limb weakness with dizziness + vomiting

New headache accompanying dizziness and vomiting

HINTS exam positive (Head Impulse-Nystagmus-Test of Skew)

When to See a Doctor

Schedule a medical consultation if you notice these signs

Emergency if neurological signs or risk factors for stroke

MRI preferred over CT for posterior fossa evaluation

Epley maneuver for BPPV after stroke has been excluded

Antiemetics and vestibular suppressants for acute vestibular neuritis

Conditions That Cause Both Dizziness and Vomiting

4 conditions are associated with this symptom combination

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, severe headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last 4â€“72 hours and significantly impair daily functioning.

Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency occurs when adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient cortisol. Primary (Addison's disease) is from adrenal damage; secondary is from pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction.

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, caused by displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear. It causes brief but intense vertigo triggered by head position changes, treatable with repositioning maneuvers.

Food allergies are immune system reactions that occur after eating a specific food. Even trace amounts can trigger signs and symptoms, including digestive problems, hives, or swollen airways.

Explore Individual Symptoms

In-depth pages for each symptom in this combination

Dizziness — Full Overview Causes Treatment When to See a Doctor Related Questions

Vomiting — Full Overview Causes Treatment When to See a Doctor Related Questions

Medical Questions About Dizziness and Vomiting

Evidence-based answers from medical experts

Early Signs of Migraine How to Manage Migraine Why Does Dizziness Happen?When Is Dizziness Dangerous?How to Relieve Dizziness What Causes Dizziness?Can Stress Cause Dizziness?Why Is Dizziness Worse in the Morning?

Clinical Matches — Authority Pages

Condition-level differential and comparison resources for this combination

Differential analyses:

🔬Migraine: differential →🔬BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo): differential →🔬Food Allergy: differential →

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